A study on the reduction of exhaust emissions through HCCI combustion by using a narrow spray angle and advanced injection timing in a DME engine

This paper describes the combustion and emission characteristics as well as engine performance according to the narrow spray angle and advanced injection timing for homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) combustion in dimethyl ether (DME) fueled diesel engine. The bowl shape of the piston head was modified to apply the narrow spray angle and advanced injection timing. The spray, combustion and emission characteristics in a DME HCCI engine were calculated by using numerical method of the KIVA-3 V code coupled with the detailed chemical kinetic model of DME oxidation. Model validation was conducted by a comparison of experimental results for the accurate prediction. The injection timing ranging from BTDC 80° to BTDC 10° and two fuel masses were selected to evaluate the combustion, emission and engine performance. The calculated results were in good accordance with the experimental results of the combustion and emissions of the engine. Nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions at injection timing before BTDC 30° remarkably decreased, while hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions at an injection timing of BTDC 70° showed high levels. Also, the IMEP and ISFC have decreasing and increasing patterns respectively as the injection timing was advanced.

Research Highlights
► The development of next generation technologies for vehicles is progressing steadily and is the subject of many studies of the reduction of harmful emissions and improvement of fuel consumption, without scarifying engine performance.
► The analysis of the combustion and emission characteristics according to the narrow spray angle and early injection timing for HCCI combustion in a DME-fueled diesel engine is essential.
► A modified piston bowl shape was used for application of narrow spray angle and advanced injection timing, and model validation, using the experimental results was performed.
► The combustion, emissions and performance characteristics were investigated by using a KIVA-3 V code coupled with a detailed chemical kinetic model of DME oxidation.